Wool blanket smock template

Van-Wild

Full Member
Feb 17, 2018
1,527
1,360
45
UK
I'm a bit (small 'b') of a dab hand with a needle and thread. Has anyone got a template or YT link for hand sewing a wool blanket smock/bush shirt......?
 
  • Like
Reactions: CrispyDuck

Pattree

Full Member
Jul 19, 2023
2,168
1,162
77
UK
Would a tunic style do?
Are we talking just one blanket?
Do you want sleeves? If so, fitted or wide open? How long?
buttons/zip/ laced?
belt or tailored waist?

Is the blanket long enough that folded in two it would cover your bum?

I’ve made a sort of basic robe out of boiled wool which is very like blanket, no buttons or zip and cinched into what I call my waist with a belt. For the sleeves, think sort of wizard .

That was very easy to do in 3.5M of 1.4M material for a floor length shirt.
 

Van-Wild

Full Member
Feb 17, 2018
1,527
1,360
45
UK
Would a tunic style do?
Are we talking just one blanket?
Do you want sleeves? If so, fitted or wide open? How long?
buttons/zip/ laced?
belt or tailored waist?

Is the blanket long enough that folded in two it would cover your bum?

I’ve made a sort of basic robe out of boiled wool which is very like blanket, no buttons or zip and cinched into what I call my waist with a belt. For the sleeves, think sort of wizard .

That was very easy to do in 3.5M of 1.4M material for a floor length shirt.
I mean like a hoody but bum length.
 

Pattree

Full Member
Jul 19, 2023
2,168
1,162
77
UK
Is the video any use?

Of the shirt is not open at the front then fold the blanket in two and cut a hole in the fold and stick it over your head. Then while it’s resting on your shoulders you can pull the waist in to where you want it. I use bulldog clips. They are easier than pins when you are doing it on yourself. Cut away what you don’t want and sew the two sides together.

Check how far the blanket comes over your shoulders and clip together underneath to form the upper part of the arm. Cut away what you don’t want and sew the sleeve seams. I would advise you to be generous with your arm holes on this simple style so that you don’t restrict movement. Cut and sew extra length arm pieces as required and sew onto your upper arms.
It’s not pretty but it is highly functional and simple to make.

Obviously the video shows a much nicer garment.

I’m sure there are others here who do a more tailored job.
 

Woody girl

Full Member
Mar 31, 2018
4,832
3,783
66
Exmoor
Here is the one I made using a woman's medievil shift idea. No pattern, just body measurements.
Width of chest, plus an inch for seams, each side, though i used half inch seams in the end to give some room for a jumper underneath.
Also underarms had a 4 inch square inserted to give room. The hood was two pieces, but could be made in one, it was just that i had to eke out the fabric.
I didn't sew all the way down the side seams to give room to be able to move freely, and I also sewed in another 4 inch square at the bottom of each side seam like on the swandri coat. Not realy nessasary, but it does help with ease of movement. It's situated around the hip area when worn so it gives a bit of extra width there.
Using the square under the arms saves having to shape the sleeve and makes for a better fit, so its not so tight.
I put in a baffle behind the lacing at the neck. That was the most difficult as I didn't want it to show on the outside, so sewed it to the edges of the neck slit and that worked quite well, but was a pitta trying to get the holes made and set the metal bits to reinforce the lacing holes. When I get time, I will take them out and sew buttonhole stitch around the lacing holes.
It works well with just normal seams on boiled wool, but I have finished the edges of the seams by turning them over and running a line of stitching to stop any fraying. There is a reason the old timers used a felled seam!
20240730_112633.jpg
 

Woody girl

Full Member
Mar 31, 2018
4,832
3,783
66
Exmoor
Another thing,
I used two oblongs of material to make the front and back, and used a shoulder seam as its easier to judge the size of the neck hole. Cut the downward neck slit to about 8 to 10 inches to start with. Smaller is better as it can always be made longer if needed.
It's easy as it's just squares and oblongs sewn together.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Pattree

Van-Wild

Full Member
Feb 17, 2018
1,527
1,360
45
UK
Here is the one I made using a woman's medievil shift idea. No pattern, just body measurements.
Width of chest, plus an inch for seams, each side, though i used half inch seams in the end to give some room for a jumper underneath.
Also underarms had a 4 inch square inserted to give room. The hood was two pieces, but could be made in one, it was just that i had to eke out the fabric.
I didn't sew all the way down the side seams to give room to be able to move freely, and I also sewed in another 4 inch square at the bottom of each side seam like on the swandri coat. Not realy nessasary, but it does help with ease of movement. It's situated around the hip area when worn so it gives a bit of extra width there.
Using the square under the arms saves having to shape the sleeve and makes for a better fit, so its not so tight.
I put in a baffle behind the lacing at the neck. That was the most difficult as I didn't want it to show on the outside, so sewed it to the edges of the neck slit and that worked quite well, but was a pitta trying to get the holes made and set the metal bits to reinforce the lacing holes. When I get time, I will take them out and sew buttonhole stitch around the lacing holes.
It works well with just normal seams on boiled wool, but I have finished the edges of the seams by turning them over and running a line of stitching to stop any fraying. There is a reason the old timers used a felled seam!
View attachment 89401
That is exactly what I had mind!! Looks lovely by the way! Well done!
 

Woody girl

Full Member
Mar 31, 2018
4,832
3,783
66
Exmoor
That is exactly what I had mind!! Looks lovely by the way! Well done!
Thanks, I made it some years ago, and it's still going fine.
Cost me £40worth of new wool material ( 2 yards) plus matching suitable thread. I'm 5'6 1/2 and had enough left over to make a flapped pocket for the front too, but decided to turn that into a bag instead of attaching it to the front, as I wear it with a belt and the belt got in the way of the pocket. I got my inspiration from yt, with a ladies medieval kirtle video, (which is realy just a longer version with gores to flare it out into a dress,) of a man's woolen shirt.
They made linnen ones exactly the same for under garments, so it's a versatile pattern.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Van-Wild

BCUK Shop

We have a a number of knives, T-Shirts and other items for sale.

SHOP HERE